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Kate Brennan was suspended from her position as an English teacher, women’s studies teacher and lacrosse coach at Sparta High School, according to a Change.org petition that hopes to get the town’s board of education to reinstate her.
School Superintendent Matthew L. Beck was unable to confirm the reason for Brennan’s suspension citing legal constraints regarding “confidential personnel matters.”
However, at Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting — which can be seen on YouTube — several students voiced their concerns about Brennan’s dismissal, as well as the reason for it, referring to a book that was requested for the teacher’s women’s studies class.
According to a report from the NJ Herald, the book in question is the 2018 novel Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes, which is centered around the story of a Black child who returns as a ghost to witness the community’s reaction after being shot and killed by a police officer.
“You all sit here judging women’s studies, but rather, I suggest you take a few minutes out of your day to sit and listen to the class and our discussions,” high school student Gabby Larte can be heard saying around the one-hour mark.
“As far as the book situation goes, I’m well aware many of you are parents. The book is $11 which Ms. Brennan offers to pay for in case you cannot afford it…. Some of you believe the book is inappropriate and makes you uncomfortable. The readings of people suffering from racial discrimination and sexual assault should make you uncomfortable, but it should not be ignored. I ask you, please, give us our favorite educator back.”
Meanwhile, the petition had garnered nearly 2,300 signatures as of Friday with hundreds of parents and Brennan’s former students praising the educator and sharing stories of how their lives have been changed.
“Kate Brennan is a lot of things — deeply passionate, fiercely loyal, and bitingly honest,” one supporter writes. “Every minute she is not in the classroom, Sparta is doing its students a disservice.”
Other parents made comments condemning the district’s “ludicrous” decision, calling it a “witch hunt.”
“The reasons for suspending Brennan are ludicrous, and have nothing to do with a teacher who has been a beacon for this community for over 18 years and EVERYTHING to do with a principal and superintendent who have been on the job less than two months and are threatened by a person different than they are,” reads another supporter’s petition comment.
“Bringing Brennan back is step one, questioning Lazzaro and Beck is step two. They need to give some clear reasons as to why we shouldn't look at this liked a bigoted move.”
Click here to view/sign the petition on Change.org.
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